Hoop



y 16, 1933. J. G. PORTTEUS HOOP Filed Sept. 28, 1952 Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES G. PORTTEUS, F TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FdURTH 'IO GEORGE F. RING AND ONE-FOURTH TO ERNEST I. FERREEpIBoT'I-I OF MARION, INDIANA Hoop Application filed September 28, 1932. Serial No. 635,245. g

the floor and will roll, the child holding the This invention relates to a combined top and hoop designed as a toy for the use of children. The object of the invention is to provide a device which can be used as either a top or a rolling hoop, as will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device when used as a top. Fig. 2 is a side elevation when used as a hoop. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the stick for operating the device. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of modifications.

The top or hoop as shown preferably consists of a hollow central body 6 having a pin 7 at the center on which it may spin. Arms 8 extend from this hub or body and are joined to a ring 9 having in one form a flat outer rim 10 projecting at opposite sides of the ring 9. One of the flanges has a notch 11, for a purpose to be described.

The stick for operating the hoop or top is indicated at 12, and at one end this stick has a clip consisting of a bent plate 13 fitting upon the end of the stick and having opposite flanges 14 from which project fingers 15 The stick 12 may be made of wood andthe fitting 13 of bent sheet metal. The top or hoop itself may be made of stamped or cast metal, and the rim is relatively heavy.

As stated in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the rim is flat, but it may be made tubular or round as shown at 10a in Fig. 5, or a pointed oval in cross section as shown at 10d in Fig. 6.

In the use of the device as a top it is placed with the point 7 on the floor, and then by means of the stick 12 the spoke or arms 8 are struck to set it spinning, as illustrated in Fig. 1. V

For use as a hoop, it is stood on the rim,

and the clip at the end of the stick 12 is engaged at the rim by hooking one of the fingers 15 through the notch 11, permitting the other finger to engage within the outer flange. This connects the stick to the hoop and then with the stick held downwardly as shown in Fig. 2 the hoop is pushed along stick applying the pressure from behind and running it at any speed desired. The hoop will remain attached to the stick by the clip untilstopped, and then the clip can be disengaged by withdrawing one of the fingers 15 through the notch 11 and twisting the stick off the rim.

The hub 6 is shown provided on one side with the point 7 on which it will spin. It may be provided on the other side with a flat boss 20 and when spun thereon the top will creep or crawl along the surface.

Because of its use as either a top or a hoop the device will be found especially valuable as a toy for children. f

Obviously the form of the various parts of the device can be varied within the scope of the invention. I

\ I claim:

1. A rolling hoop device, comprising a wheel having an enlarged rim provided with a notch at one edge, and a stick by means of which the wheel may be pushed along by pressure on the rim, said stick hav ing a clip with projections engageable within the rim by entering one of the projections through the notch.

2. A rolling hoop device as in claim 1, the clip having opposite side flanges and fingers, bent inwardly at the edges of said flanges to form said projections. v

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

JAMES G. PORTTEUS. 

